FINDING HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Finding appropriate help for mental health issues is critical not only for the patient but his/her loved ones too. The longer mental health problems fester, the worse things usually get. Family members like parents, siblings, and spouses can be hurt the most. In some cases, it can be a matter of life and death. As a result, the problems become worse and harder to treat.
I have been writing these posts for about a year. As a result, people have asked about how to find help for mental health problems. Consequently, this post will try to help with this issue.
Clinics
The Federal government funds mental health clinics going back to 1963. As a result, they are in every state in the USA. In addition, private clinics are in both large and small urban centers. The private clinics usually require insurance or private pay for service. The WEB will provide information about both private and public clinics. But, if you don’t have a computer, you can have access to one at any public library. Furthermore, asking friends, relatives, clergy or medical doctors can sometimes help on where to go.
It, above all, is important to note that if it is a matter of life or death like a threat of suicide or hurting others calling 911 for help or getting the patient to a hospital is in order. Hospitals will treat the patient. The following is a list of mental health professionals that you can pick from for treatment:
Psychiatrists, MD
Psychiatrists are physicians that after the became medical doctors went on to specialize mental health diagnostic disorders. They for the most part treat patients with medicine. These physicians will often see patients for only 10 to 15 minutes to prescribe and correct problems with medication. Psychiatrists often head clinics and psychiatric departments in hospitals. They sometimes specialize in specific areas like children’s disorders and addiction. In modern settings as a result of training, psychiatrists are utilized primarily to write prescriptions for medication.
Psychologists, PhD or MA
Psychologists can have master level or PhD level designation after their name. The PhD level that are fully licensed in the state they practice treat all aspects of mental health disorders. But, t\they do not prescribe medication. Psychologists will see patients for an hour or more in session. As a result of appropriate PhD degree, private and public insurances usually cover their services. Similarly, like all mental heath professions some do specialize is specific disorders.
The master level psychologist often work in clinics under supervision. The see a variety of patients with numerous disorders. But,most private insurances will only pay for master level psychologists to do testing.
Clinical Social workers, LMSW
Clinical social workers have a master degree in social work, “MSW”, and are trained to treat the entire spectrum of mental disorders using some form of talk therapy individual, family, or group. After they are licensed in the State they work in., most insurances, both public and private, will pay for their services. They can’t prescribe meds
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
These counselors have a Master Degree in the field. They treat the full spectrum om mental health disorders. Most private insurances will not pay for their services. Public insurance, Medicaid but not Medicare, will pay for services.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT
These therapists have a Master Degree or higher in the field of family treatment including marriage issues. The State where they work generally licenses them. They generally treat the family or couple as a unit. Insurances do not pay for their services. However, if they have an acceptable credential that the insurance accepts and there is an identified patient, insurance will often pay for service.
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, CAADC
These counselors generally have a Master Degree in the field and are certified by an agency that is recognized by the state where the counselor works. Public insurance like Medicaid will pay for their services in the treatment of addiction. However, private insurance and Medicare require other appropriate credentials.
Advice in Picking Treatment
The training, skill level, and experience of the therapist is important. Even more important is the attitude of the patient. Therapy, however, works best when the patient understands that the only person that one has the power to change is the self. Sometimes, the changes made in the self will lead to changes in the people around the patient. Consequently, these changes can make life more tolerable.
Professional Help
If you need help with mental health issues, I hope this information assists you. Find the treatment that you are comfortable with. Then, look for treatment close to your home. Usually, the longer a person waits the worse the problem will get.
Psycho-Social Assessment
However, if for some reason you are reluctant to get help via traditional methods, I will do a professional psycho-social assessment. These assessments take 1.5 hours resulting in a diagnosis. Later, a 1 hour session to advise where to go for help. In addition, the seriousness of the problem will be advised.
The cost for the psycho-social assessment and follow up session would be $200. This work would be done using Skype. An appointment can be arranged by contacting me at eaglekenj@gmail.com.
Confidentiality
When you call, I will discuss methods of payment and insurance options. If a solution is available without a formal assessment, this will be explored in the phone contact. First of all, my main goal is for the patient to get appropriate treatment as close to their home as possible. Above all confidentiality is of prime importance. Privacy will always be respected.
In conclusion, the next post will be on how computers and the internet are misused. Addiction can result for some. In extreme other cases, victims have committed suicide.
QUESTIONS
Do you have a specific question related to addiction and recovery? Please send your comments and questions to eaglekenj@gmail.com and I will cover it in a future blog post. Also, stay tuned for details regarding my online program, “Addiction, Recovery, Wellness.”
Kenneth J. Orlich, LMSW, LMFT, CAADC, ACSW is a clinical social worker, family and marriage therapist, and addiction specialist with over 35 years of experience working as a clinician with the addicted.
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